ADDRESS: 402 E. State St., Trenton, New Jersey 08608
ARTIST: Frank D. Shapiro
TITLE: Second Battle of Trenton, Rural Delivery, and Glass Manufacture
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (murals) 2 panels
STATUS: The Trenton federal building is still an active, operating facility, however, the post office no longer operates out of this facility. The murals can be viewed by interested members of the public. They reside on a wall in the main lobby.
YEAR: 1931
Trenton was another building I wasn’t expecting to get into during my recent visit. My plan was to get exterior photos to use for this article. Officially known as the Clarkson S. Fisher building and Courthouse. It was originally the post office and courthouse which is why and how we refer to it here at Post Office Fans.
From what I could tell, I knew parking was going to be problematic, and since I was by myself I needed to navigate this visit carefully. Luckily, I arrived early to get photos with no cars or people in the images.
I actually called when I got home from my trip and the person I spoke to did confirm the building had original murals inside the lobby of the building. He also mentioned there is a small write-up near the artwork which explains the work.
I did not get mural photos of this one, on this trip so I’ll have plan on re-visiting sometime in the future.
UPDATE
During my recent visit in August of 2021, I was denied photographing the murals in the lobby. Even after explaining to the guards and calling a few others, the ultimate answer was no. Since the murals were installed when this building operated as a post office is my interest in wanting to photograph them. However, fast forward to today, the building is no longer a post office. The GSA, Marshall services and GSA operate out the building today. Images of the murals can be viewed on the General Services Administration Website.
David W. Gates Jr.
“Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. All rights reserved.”
Sources
- Personal visit on 5/21/21 about 7:54 AM and 8/10/2021 about 3:38 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
- (affiliate link) New Jersey Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
- General Services Administration (Clarkson S. Fisher U.S. Courthouse, Trenton, NJ | GSA)
- NJ.com N.J. post offices showcase Depression-era public art – nj.com
- (affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal
: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
- General Services Administration https://www.gsa.gov/location/NJ#
